Children happily playing football. Their separated parents have used a child arrangement orders to agree who they live with, who they spend time with or have contact with and when.

Child Arrangements Orders Explained: What They Are and When You Might Need One

24th September 2025

For separating parents: if you’re unsure what your rights are when it comes to where your child lives and how often they see the other parent, this short guide explains your options.

When parents separate, working out where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent can be challenging. If an agreement cannot be reached, you may need to apply to court for a Child Arrangements Order (CAO) under the Children Act 1989.

A CAO sets out:

Who the child is to live with (this could be one parent or both);
Who the child is to spend time with or have contact with;
Where and when that contact will take place (e.g. weekends, school holidays, direct, supervised, supported or indirect contact);
Any specific arrangements the court considers necessary to promote the child’s welfare — such as handover locations, medical issues, or conditions around travel or communication.

For more information about Child Arrangements Orders and how to apply, visit the official Government guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/apply-for-court-order.

For more information about Child Arrangements Orders and how to apply, visit the official Government guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/apply-for-court-order. Need help navigating life as a separated parent? You’re not alone — explore our list of separated parenting programmes.

Written by: Yasmin Kahn-Gunns, Family Lawyer